The so-called
"Dalmatic of Charlemagne".
Eleventh century. Gift of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Isidore
of Kiev (1439) to Pope Eugene IV (1431-1447)

The only
medieval liturgical vestment kept in the Treasury of St Peter's
is this dalmatic. It is a masterpiece of the art of embroidery
practiced in Constantinople during the eleventh century. It is
not known how the legend grew that it was worn by Charlemagne
for his coronation as Emperor in 800 AD. It is made entirely in
embroidery with gold, silver and colored thread on blue silk with
scenes from the Byzantine iconography of the ninth and tenth centuries.

A
few of the many items on display in the Treasury Museum

Information
on the Treasury Museum is taken from the CD "IL TESORO DI SAN
PIETRO" BY Citec ed

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